By Emily Copeman, Merchantville resident
For the last month of 2018, we are pleased to share a conversation with St. Clair CPA Solutions, an organization that sometimes flies under the radar despite being in the heart of our sweet downtown. The people of St. Clair embody the values that make Merchantville such a special place to live and do business – integrity, hope and dedication to community. Enjoy!
For the last month of 2018, we are pleased to share a conversation with St. Clair CPA Solutions, an organization that sometimes flies under the radar despite being in the heart of our sweet downtown. The people of St. Clair embody the values that make Merchantville such a special place to live and do business – integrity, hope and dedication to community. Enjoy!What is St. Clair CPA Solution’s mission?
Our mission is to maintain a tradition of providing the best accounting, tax and financial services possible. We take pride in our industry-wide reputation for commitment to our clients. We work every day to understand their individual needs, solve their problems, and help them achieve their financial objectives.
Professionalism is the cornerstone of everything we do. We foster an environment where people are respected and have a place to learn, grow and prosper; where creativity is rewarded; prudent risks are encouraged; quality and excellence are revered. We seek creative solutions, individually and collectively. We embrace and accept change in methods, products, ideas, styles, and technology. We will reach beyond our comfort zones to further our personal and professional goals.
Our promise to provide our clients with dedicated service and quality products at a competitive cost remains firm. Service is our hallmark.
We understand St Clair CPA Solutions provides services in specific niche areas. What specialized industries and services to you serve?
We have experienced significant growth providing accounting, tax, audit and business solutions to franchisors and franchisees, as well as small businesses, nonprofits, real estate developers, construction, affordable housing, manufacturing & distribution, schools, employee benefit plans audits, SOC reports, mortgage banking and estate planning.
We also have a financial group that specializes in retirement planning, retirement plans 401K, 403B; investment advisory and wealth management; life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care insurance as well as education/529Cs.
We provide Accounting for Life and Advising for Lifecycles™ – all under one roof.
How did you become an accounting and tax provider to franchisors and franchisees?
In the mid-1980s, we were approached by the Tumolo family who had four active Rita’s Water Ice stores; each was owned and operated by family members. The family wanted to expand, but they had no more family members available to own and operate a store. They decided to pursue franchising.
When I asked why they contacted our firm, Betty Tumolo stated that we were referred by the President of Miri Construction Company, a contracting company in South Philadelphia, who was very happy with our audit work. A word of mouth referral is the best type of referral a company can get!
We performed the initial audit for the Tumolo family, and continued as their auditor for a few years. As we continued working with the family, they realized our tax expertise and strategic planning capabilities was well-suited for their business.
For years we sat on their Board of Advisors with bi-monthly meetings to strategize for the growth of an ever-expanding franchise organization. From 1987, until the Tumolo family sold their company in the mid-2000s, we performed accounting, auditing, tax and forensic services. We played a strategic role in formulating and negotiating the sale of their company.
Why did you choose Merchantville for an office location?
The building was owned by one of our clients. I had always enjoyed coming to Merchantville when I met with him. When he mentioned he was getting ready to sell the building, we made an offer, and moved our office from Center City to Merchantville.
What communities do you serve from your Merchantville location?
We are a regional firm and also have an office in Pennsylvania. We serve clients throughout the Greater Philadelphia area and our franchise practice serves clients nationwide.
How do you work with those communities outside of your business operations? Do you have a volunteer/community outreach program?
Through our Employee Relations Committee, a charity is nominated and selected each month to support. We raise money through our dress-down for charity program. An employee donates $5 when he or she wears blue jeans to the office. Our company matches the employee contributions and 12 charities are supported each year.
We also work with community organizations and provide extra hands when needed. During the last quarter of 2018, we painted classrooms at a Philadelphia school, helped with a food delivery at a community center, and in December 2018, many of our employees have donated to and plan to participate in Wreaths Across America at the Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey.
What is the most exciting part of the work you do?
Helping a business grow—we love being that trusted adviser who is considered part of the internal team to strategize and help a business succeed from their initial startup to the sale of a business or help with the creation of a succession plan for the next generation.
What are the benefits of owning a business in Merchantville?
Location, location, location! We are convenient to all of the bridges into Center City, easy access to and from all major roads, the Jersey shore as well as convenient shopping, services and a genuinely nice home town to conduct our everyday business. Plus, Merchantville has a well-maintained business district surrounded by majestic homes and scenic neighborhoods.
We love that you had a team walking in the 2018 Walk Against Hate through the Anti-Defamation League – how did you choose to support that specific cause?
Our partner, Alan Gubernick, became the Chair of the Philadelphia Region Board of Directors for the Anti-Defamation League in 2017. Alan has been involved with the ADL for over seven years. When the Walk Against Hate began in 2011, Alan shared the information and we created a team. St. Clair CPA Solutions has always been a culturally diverse organization and participation in ADL activities is a very good fit for our company and our employees.
How do you serve Merchantvillians?
We host seminars for businesses and residents, such as our Tax Reform Update which took place on the first Friday of December. If anyone would like to learn more, they may visit our website (www.stclaircpa.com) and subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about our events and programs.
We also support many local organizations. In November 2018, our employees collected money, shopped, and donated food to the Dolores Clark Food Pantry located at the Grace Episcopal Church in Merchantville. We also collected blankets and coats for the St. Clare’s Thrift Shoppe, also located at Grace Church.
Throughout the year we sponsor the annual Merchantville School Haunted House, the Classic Car Show and many other local events. We also have a Little Free Library in the front of our building for residents to take a book and share a book.
Our employees love supporting activities in Merchantville. Halloween is one of our favorite holidays and we love opening our doors to a giant T-Rex.
What would you say to other businesses considering a move to Merchantville?
Merchantville is a great classic town. Business owners are very supportive and we work together to help each other, as well as the town of Merchantville, thrive.